New Degree Programs

Proposals for new programs originate within the School in which they will be offered, and require the concurrence of the deans of the other schools and several central University approvals, including the University Senate if they are at the post-baccalaureate level. If they will lead to degrees that the School has not previously been authorized to award, they also require the approval of the Trustees. Once they have received all of the necessary University approvals, new programs must be registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Depending on whether their creation requires a substantive change in the accredited status of the University, they also may need to be approved by the University's accrediting agency, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Schools may not admit students to a new degree program until it has been approved by the NYSED. Additionally, they should not market the proposed program until that approval has been received.

The creation of a new degree program may involve as many as seven steps. The processes followed to establish new programs are generally the same, regardless of the degree the students will earn. There are, however, sufficient differences that this web site describes the procedures by degree. It also includes separate descriptions for dual (i.e., involving two or more schools of the University) and joint (i.e., collaborative programs with another university or college) degree programs for the same reason.